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| United States Patent |
5,309,546
|
|
Baker
, et al.
|
*
May 3, 1994
|
System for method for producing synthetic plural word messages
Abstract
A linguistic coding system and keyboard therefor for the use of people
unable to use their own voices is described. The coding system and
associated keyboard are based on the sentence rather than the word,
phoneme or letter. The keyboard is coupled to a computer which stores a
plurality of plural word messages or sentences in the memory thereof for
selective retrieval by the keyboard. The sentences retrieved from the
keyboard are fed to a voice synthesizer which converts them through a loud
speaker to audible spoken messages The keyboard utilizes polysemic symbols
on the respective keys and by designating a selected one of the keys and
its associated polysemic symbols a primary message theme key, selected
recorded plural messages in the computer memory may be retrieved by
actuating a combination of the designated primary message theme key and
other keys to vary the context of the polysemic symbols. Thus a plurality
of sentences associated with a central theme may be selectively generated
as a function of each polysemic symbol in combination with other symbols
which modify the theme of the message or sentence.
| Inventors:
|
Baker; Bruce R. (425 Cumberland St., Cumberland, MD 21502);
Creech; Richard D. (Rt. 3, Box 170A, Siler City, NC 27344);
Smith; Kenneth W. (3316 Englewood Rd., Wilmington, DE 19810)
|
| [*] Notice: |
The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to April 28, 2004
has been disclaimed. |
| Appl. No.:
|
652255 |
| Filed:
|
February 6, 1991 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
704/271; 704/258; 704/260 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G10L 005/02 |
| Field of Search: |
381/51,53,36
395/2,267,27
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 4270022 | May., 1981 | Loh | 340/365.
|
| 4328562 | May., 1982 | Hashimoto | 381/51.
|
| 4333092 | Jun., 1982 | Field | 434/112.
|
Other References
Encyclopedia (p. 394), "Language . . . ".
Japanese Patent Date, "Government Date of Application", 1981.
|
Primary Examiner: Shaw; Dale M.
Assistant Examiner: Tung; Kee M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/374,869,
filed on Jul. 3, 1989, now abandoned, which is a division of Ser. No.
07/325,044, filed Mar. 16, 1989, now abandoned, which is a continuation of
Ser. No. 003,464, filed on Jan. 15, 1987, now abandoned, which is a
continuation of Ser. No. 815,196, filed on Dec. 27, 1985, now U.S. Pat.
No. 4,661,916, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 659,878, filed Oct. 15,
1984, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 340,287, filed
Jan. 18, 1982, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for enabling an operator to retrieve and generate a selected
plural word message relating to particular information from among a large
number of plural word messages relating to varied kinds of information
stored in a system for producing messages, comprising:
a plurality of input devices each bearing different polysemic pictorial
illustrations of real like objects, said polysemic pictorial illustrations
not including alphanumeric characters or formal, contemporary oriental
language characters, each illustration being suggestive to an operator of
the system of a plurality of types of information, each of said input
devices also bearing an alpha character corresponding to the first letter
of a word that describes the pictorial illustration on that input device;
memory means for storing message data representative of a plurality of
sequences of said polysemic pictorial illustrations, each sequence of
illustrations being a semantic summary of a different plural word message;
means for retrieving said selected message from the memory means in
response to actuation of a selected sequence of a plurality of said input
devices, the number of polysemic pictorial illustrations in the selected
sequence being much less than the number of alpha characters which
constitute the plural word message when spelled by formal alpha language
characters; and
means for outputting said selected message.
2. A system of claim 1 wherein said plural word message is a complete
sentence.
3. A system of claim 1 wherein said input devices are keys on a keyboard.
4. A system of claim 1, comprising means for audibly outputting said
selected message.
5. A system as in claim 1, comprising means for outputting said selected
message in a visually perceptible medium.
6. A system as in claim 1, comprising means for printing said selected
message.
7. A system as in claim 1 wherein each said input device also bears a
numeral corresponding to the position in the alphabet of said alpha
character.
8. A method for enabling an operator to retrieve and generate a selected
plural word message from a large number of plural word messages relating
to varied kinds of information stored in a system for producing messages,
the system comprising memory means and a plurality of input devices
actuatable in any sequence, the method comprising:
associating with each representative input device different polysemic
pictorial illustrations of real like objects, said polysemic pictorial
illustrations not including alphanumeric characters or formal,
contemporary, oriental language characters, each illustration being
suggestive to an operator of the system of a plurality of types of
information, each of said input devices also bearing an alpha character
corresponding to the first letter of a word that describes the pictorial
illustration on that input device;
defining a plurality of sequences of said polysemic pictorial
illustrations, each sequence of illustrations being suggestive to an
operator of the system of a semantic summary of a different plural word
message;
selecting a sequence of a plurality of said polysemic pictorial
illustrations which is suggestive to n operator of said semantic summary
of said selected message, the number of polysemic pictorial illustrations
in the selected sequence being much less that n the number of alpha
characters which constitute the plural word message when spelled by formal
alpha language characters;
sequentially actuating a plurality of said input devices having
respectively and sequentially associated therewith said plurality of
polysemic pictorial illustrations which is suggestive to an operator of
said semantic summary of said selected message, thereby inputting a
plurality of signals to the system indicative of which input devices have
been actuated and in what sequence;
retrieving said selected message corresponding to said plurality of signals
from the memory means of the system; and
outputting said selected plural word message.
9. A method of claim 8 wherein said plural word message is a complete
sentence.
10. A method of claim 8 wherein said input devices are keys on a keyboard.
11. A method as in claim 8, comprising audibly outputting said selected
message.
12. A method as in claim 8, comprising outputting said selected message in
a visually perceptible medium.
13. A method as in claim 8, comprising printing said selected message.
14. A method as in claim 8 wherein each said input device also bears a
numeral corresponding to the position in the alphabet of said alpha
character.
15. A system for enabling an operator to retrieve and generate a selected
plural word message relating to particular information from among a large
number of plural word messages relating to varied kinds of information
stored in a system for producing messages, comprising:
a plurality of input devices each bearing different polysemic pictorial
illustrations of real like objects, each illustration being suggestive to
an operator of the system of a plurality of types of information, each of
said input devices also bearing an alpha character corresponding to the
first letter of a word that describes the pictorial illustration on that
input device;
memory means for storing message data representative of a plurality of
sequences of said polysemic pictorial illustrations, each sequence of
illustrations being a semantic summary of a different plural word message;
means for retrieving said selected message form the memory means in
response to actuation of a selected sequence of a plurality of input
devices, the number of polysemic pictorial illustrations in the selected
sequence being much less than the number of alpha characters which
constitute the plural word message when spelled by formal alpha language
characters; and
means for outputting said selected message.
16. A system of claim 15 wherein said plural word message is a complete
sentence.
17. A system of claim 15 wherein said input devices are keys on a keyboard.
18. A system as in claim 15, comprising means for audibly outputting said
selected message.
19. A system as in claim 15, comprising means for outputting said selected
message in a visually perceptible medium.
20. A system as in claim 15, comprising means for printing said selected
message.
21. A system as in claim 15 wherein each said input device also bears a
numeral corresponding to the position in the alphabet of said alpha
character.
22. A method for enabling an operator to retrieve and generate a selected
plural word message from a large number of plural word messages relating
to varied kinds of information stored in a system for producing messages,
the system comprising memory means and a plurality of input devices
actuatable in any sequence, the method comprising:
associating with each representative input device different polysemic
pictorial illustrations of real like objects, each illustration being
suggestive to an operator of the system of a plurality of types of
information, each of said input devices also bearing an alpha character
corresponding to the first letter of a word that describes the pictorial
illustration on that input device;
defining a plurality of sequences of said polysemic pictorial
illustrations, each sequence of polysemic pictorial illustrations being
suggestive to an operator of the system of a semantic summary of a
different plural word message;
selecting a sequence of a plurality of said polysemic pictorial
illustrations which is suggestive to n operator of said semantic summary
of said selected message, the number of polysemic pictorial illustrations
in the selected sequence being much less that the number of alpha
characters which constitute the plural word message when spelled by formal
alpha language characters;
actuating a plurality of said input devices having respectively and
sequentially associated therewith said plurality respectively and
sequentially associated therewith said plurality of polysemic pictorial
illustrations which is suggestive to an operator of said semantic summary
of said selected message, thereby inputting a plurality of signals to the
system indicative of which input devices have been actuated;
retrieving said selected message corresponding to said plurality of signals
form the memory means of the system; and
outputting said selected plural word message.
23. A method of claim 22 wherein said plural word message is a complete
sentence.
24. A method of claim 22 wherein said input devices are keys on a keyboard.
25. A method as in claim 22, comprising audibly outputting said selected
message.
26. A method as in claim 22, comprising outputting said selected message in
a visually perceptible medium.
27. A method as in claim 22, comprising printing said selected message.
28. A method as in claim 22 wherein each said input device also bears a
numeral corresponding to the position in the alphabet of said alpha
character.
29. A system for enabling an operator to retrieve and generate a selected
plural word message relating to particular information from among a large
number of plural word messages relating to varied kinds of information
stored in a system for producing messages, comprising:
a plurality of input devices each bearing different icons, each icon being
suggestive to an operator of the system of a plurality of types of
information, each of said input devices also bearing an alpha character
corresponds to the first letter of a word that describes the icon on that
input device;
memory means for storing message data representative of a plurality of
sequences of said icons, each sequence of icons being a semantic summary
of a different plural word message;
means for retrieving said selected message form the memory means in
response to actuation of a selected sequence of a plurality of input
devices, the number of icons of the selected sequence being much less than
the number of alpha characters which constitute the plural word message
when spelled by the alpha characters; and
means for outputting said selected message.
30. A system of claim 29 wherein said plural word message is a complete
sentence.
31. A system of claim 29 wherein said input devices are keys on a keyboard.
32. A system as in claim 29, comprising means for audibly outputting said
selected message.
33. A system as in claim 29, comprising means for outputting said selected
message in a visually perceptible medium.
34. A system as in claim 29, comprising means for printing said selected
message.
35. A system as in claim 29 wherein each said input device also bears a
numeral corresponding to the position in the alphabet of said alpha
character.
36. A method for enabling an operator to retrieve and generate a selected
plural word message from a large number of plural word messages relating
to varied kinds of information stored in a system for producing messages,
the system comprising memory means and a plurality of input devices
actuatable in any sequence, the method comprising:
associating with each respective input device different icons, each icon
being suggestive to an operator of the system of a plurality of types of
information, each of said input devices also bearing an alpha character
corresponding to the first letter of a word that describes the icon on
that input device;
defining a plurality of sequences of said icons, each sequence of icons
being suggestive to an operator of the system of a semantic summary of a
different plural word message;
selecting a sequence of a plurality of said icons which is suggestive to an
operator of said semantic summary of said selected message, the number of
icons of the selected sequence being much less that the number of alpha
characters which constitute the plural word message when spelled by formal
alpha language characters;
actuating a plurality of said input devices having respectively and
sequentially associated therewith said plurality of icons which is
suggestive to an operator of said semantic summary of said selected
message, thereby inputting a plurality of signals to the system indicative
of which input devices have been actuated;
retrieving said selected message corresponding to said plurality of signals
form the memory means of the system; and
outputting said selected plural word message.
37. A method of claim 36 wherein said plural word message is a complete
sentence.
38. A method of claim 36 wherein said input devices are keys on a keyboard.
39. A method of claim 36, comprising audibly outputting said selected
message.
40. A method as in claim 36, comprising outputting said selected message in
a visually perceptible medium.
41. A method as in claim 36, comprising printing said selected message.
42. A method as in claim 36, wherein each said input device also bears a
numeral corresponding to the position in the alphabet of said alpha
character.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a linguistic coding system and keyboard
therefor for use by people unable to use their own voices to create either
synthetic speech or synthetic printed messages. More specifically, the
present invention is related to a synthetic speech or printing device
based on the sentence or message rather than the word, phoneme or letter.
Heretofore synthetic speech or typing devices have coding systems based on
words, phonemes or letters which are implemented with keyboards with
indicia thereon related to the word, phoneme or letter. These systems are
very complicated to use because they require an extraordinarily large
number of symbols or indicia in order to have the capability to generate
entire sentences or plural sentence messages. This extraordinarily large
number of keys and symbols makes it difficult to memorize the necessary
relationships to generate a sentence and in addition requires an extremely
large number of key actuations for a given sentence or message. Thus, not
only is it difficult to teach an operator how to use one of these prior
devices it takes entirely too long to generate sentences or other plural
word messages making these prior art machines unsatisfactory for general
use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a synthetic
speech device which may go directly from thought to speech without the
need to record word, phoneme and letter data as individual entities.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a synthetic speech
or typing device which stores and retrieves whole sentences or plural word
messages for selective retrieval other than individual words, phonemes or
letters.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a synthetic
speech or printing device with an improved keyboard which minimizes the
maximum number of necessary key actuations to generate a sentence or a
plural word message.
It is still another object of the present invention to utilize polysemic
symbols on the individual keys of the keyboard of the device of the
present invention which may correspond to pictorial illustrations of real
life objects.
It is a further object of the present invention to utilize polysemic
symbols on the keys of the keyboard because such symbols are more easily
memorized than alpha numeric characters.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a coding
system, method and keyboard therefor which is adaptable to individual
design by the operator to further enhance the memory capacity of an
operator.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a coding
system, method and keyboard therefor which is adaptable to either high
intellectual or cultural levels of an operator or to the intellectual
level of the uneducated.
It is a further object of the present invention to utilize polysemic
symbols in a coding system so that no reading skills are required to
operate the synthetic speech or typing device of the present invention.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a coding
system utilizing polysemic symbols to preclude the need for good spelling
skills in utilization of the device.
It is yet another object of the present invention to produce a synthetic
speech device with auditory clarity based on a linguistic analysis of the
sentence structure which is stored in the memory for retrieval
The objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a system
for producing plural word synthetic messages from a compilation of
predetermined plural word messages stored in a memory in response to the
actuation of selected keys on a keyboard, said actuation of said keys
selectively retrieving desired messages from said memory, at least one
theme key means in said keyboard bearing a polysemic symbol (an icon)
related to a theme of the message to be retrieved from said memory means
for storing a plurality of said predetermined plural word messages having
message themes related to the respective polysemic symbols (icons) used in
said message and a plurality of modifying key means with coded indicia
thereon for selective actuation in combination with said at least one
theme key means to selectively retrieve one of said plural word messages
having a theme associated with the polysemic symbol (icon) on the actuated
theme key means.
The memory is provided in a computer or microprocessor and stores complete
sentences or plural word messages rather than individual words, phonemes
or letters. The microprocessor or computer is coupled to a commercially
available voice synthesizer which converts the digital signals emerging
therefrom into analog signals which drive a loudspeaker and generate
audible synthetic speech. In the alternative to a voice synthesizer a
suitable printer may be utilized to directly convert the retrieved
selected messages or sentences into printed messages on a suitable paper
or substrate.
The system of the present invention allows an operator to go directly from
thought to speech. This is possible because each key on the keyboard of
the present invention bears a central image or symbol (an icon) which is
polysemic and illustrates an important aspect of life and/or linguistic
function. The keyboards may vary depending on the intellectual level of
the intended operator. Therefore, each keyboard may in itself be a
language which has been designed for or with a specific user Each of the
polysemic symbols (icons) is rich in associations and in combination
signals sentence ideas in the operator's memory. This enables the
generation of plural word or whole sentence messages by the actuation of
as few as two keys or as many as seven keys. The devices of the present
invention may generate hundreds of sentences which may be easily retrieved
from memory because of the ease with which the polysemic symbols on the
keys portray the production of whole thoughts
It should be understood that the term "icon" used throughout this
specification is intended to be given its ordinary directionary definition
of a "pictorial representation or image" (quoting Webster's Third New
International Dictionary), and in the context of the disclosure of this
invention "icon" means --polysemic pictorial illustration of real like
objects not including individual alphanumeric characters or formal,
contemporary oriental language characters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects of the present invention and the attendant advantages thereof
will become more readily apparent by reference to the accompanying
drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts and further
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a synthetic speech device of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a keyboard coded
and marked with polysemic symbols in accordance with the present
invention, each circle representing an individual key on the keyboard; and
FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a group of keys to be used on
another form of keyboard for use with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowcharts of the data processing programs utilized to process
information in the microprocessor constituting a portion of the block
diagram illustrated in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated the synthetic voice generating
device of the present invention generally designated 10. The device 10
consists of a keyboard 12 of a type illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to be
discussed hereinafter with its output coupled to a microprocessor 16. One
microprocessor suitable for use with the present invention is an AIM-65
marketed by Rockwell International. Associated with microprocessor 16 is a
suitable electrical programmable read only memory (EPROM) 14. EPROM 14
stores complete sentences or plural word messages without regard to
individual words, phonemes or letters. Coupled to the output of
microprocessor 16 is a commercially available speech synthesizer 18 such
as one designated Voltrax Speech PAC with an SC-01 voice synthesizer chip
therein marketed by Vodex. The output of the voice synthesizer 18 is in
turn coupled to a loudspeaker 20 which generates audible synthetic speech
in a manner well known in the art.
Referring in detail to FIG. 2 there is illustrated one embodiment of a
keyboard for practicing the present invention wherein each of the circles
represents an individual key of the keyboard. Each of the keys includes a
centrally disposed picture of a real life object or illustration (an icon)
centrally disposed thereon. The majority of the keys also have identifying
sequential numbers such as 1 to 10, 20, 30 and 50 in examples shown in
FIG. 2; an alphabetical letter corresponding to the numbers; a portion of
the human anatomy and a proper name. Accordingly, the keys may take on
many different meanings depending on the sequence and combination in which
they are operated since they contain not only the polysemic symbols (real
life objects or expressions) in the center of the keys but additional
indicia relating to other possible meanings of information associated with
that key. The keyboard of FIG. 2 is designed to be used by someone with a
relatively high level of intellectual achievement and education. A more
simplistic keyboard designed for users of a lower intellectual level will
be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 3.
Referring further to FIG. 2 the respective keys of the keyboard 1 to 10,
20, 29, 30, 50, and 60 have symbols and indicia thereon in accordance with
the following chart which illustrates each key number and its associated
letter, theme, portion of the human anatomy and proper name.
______________________________________
Key # Letter Theme Anatomy Proper Name
______________________________________
1 A Eating or Arm Ann
Food
2 B Bad or Danger
Bone Bob
3 C Cathedral or
Coccyx Cathy
Chain
4 D Dressing or Diaphragm
Dan
Clothing
5 E Transport or
Ear Everest
Travel
6 F Ablutions, Feet Fred
bathing or
water
7 G Philosophy Gall- God
or ideas bladder
8 H Formalities,
Head Hades
departures,
greetings
9 I Personal opin-
Eye I
ions and dis-
closures
10 J Logic or Jugular Jesus
modality
20 K Logic key and
Tongue Tom
tag questions
29 None Medical -- --
30 O Happiness or
Ovary --
positive ex-
pressions
50 None Type Mode -- --
60 None Electricity -- --
______________________________________
By reference to this chart and to the illustration of FIG. 2 examples of
the operation of the keyboard of FIG. 2 in conjunction with the principles
of the present invention can be understood. For example, key no. 1 bears
the image of an apple, key no 2 a turkey, key no. 3 a chair and key no. 4
a dress. These keys also have the alphabetic sequence of A, B, C and D,
anatomy portions such as an arm, a bone, a coccyx and a diaphragm; and the
proper names Ann, Bob, Cathy and Dan. The electronic circuitry of the
microprocessor 16 of FIG. 1 is programmed so that the actuation of any one
key twice designates that key as the primary theme key. All other keys
struck thereafter are associated with ideas related to the theme key which
has been struck twice. For example, when key 1 is struck twice, the
microprocessor 16 determines that it is desired to retrieve prerecorded
sentences from EPROM 14 which are related to the theme of eating.
Accordingly, when a key such as key 2 is struck subsequently to the double
actuation of key 1 a prerecorded sentence "get that food out of my mouth"
is retrieved from EPROM 14 and spoken by the combination of the voice
synthesizer 18 and loudspeaker 20. In a similar fashion when key no. 3 is
struck following double actuation of key no. 1, the sentence "There is
something wrong with the position of my chair." is read out from EPROM 14
and spoken over loudspeaker 20. A similar combined use of key 4 with key 1
causes the voice synthesizer system of the present invention to say "Look
out, the food is getting on my clothes."
The microprocessor 16 of FIG. 1 may also be programmed to recognize a
single stroke of a key after the double actuation of the key designating a
central theme as a negative expression. This is convenient because
negative sentences are often of an emergency nature and need to be spoken
quickly. A positive context to each of the foregoing sentences can be
spoken by prefacing the actuation of the respective keys 2, 3, or with the
actuation of key 30 which pictures an ironically smiling sun. That is, the
negative context of this sentence can be changed to positive by prefacing
the actuation of the selected keys 2, 3, 4, etc. with key 30. Accordingly,
after a double hit on the eating theme key in no. 1 a user may say "It's
okay, I'm not choking." by striking key 30 and then key 2. He may say
"It's all right if a little food gets on my clothes." by hitting key 30
and then key 4. For a severely disabled person to say these sentences on a
text-to-speech or phonemic system would require dozens of key actuations
plus the ability to read and spell very well. In contrast the keyboards
designed for use in the system of the present invention require no more
than four key actuations for the examples referred to above and do not
require the ability to read or spell in view of the use of the polysemic
symbols such as the apple, turkey, cathedral, coat, shirt and necktie.
Of course, many other variations and combinations of the keys from the
keyboard from FIG. 2 will result in the retrieval and output of other
prerecorded sentences from EPROM 14. For example, key no. 1 which includes
the central symbol of an apple and connotes the theme of eating can mean
oil when actuated following the double actuation of key 3 which has chair
as one of its polysemic meanings.
Key no. 2 which contains the central symbol of a turkey can mean bad or
danger. When used in combination with the chair key no. 3 it can refer to
"bad brakes" and in combination with the clothing key 4 it can mean that
the user's belt is too tight or that his tie is choking him.
After key no. 5 (transport) it refers to the inability of the chair to go.
After the medical key 29 it refers to bones, joint pains, etc. and can
refer when joined with key no. 3 to specific abilities of the chair,
problems of transporting of the chair, etc.
Key no. 3 is the chair key for people in wheelchairs. Cathedral is the
Latin word for chair so a cathedral fascade is used in preference to the
less attractive standard wheelchair symbol. This also promotes the
polysemic aspects of this key in relation to other keys. For instance,
when used with key no. 7 (E=MC.sup.2) which stands for philosophy or
abstractions in general, it means the philosophy of religion. It can also
mean "face" as a verb as in "To face facts", etc. After medical key 29 it
refers to the coccyx and seating problems, pressure points, etc.
Key no. 4 includes the central symbol which connotes the theme dressing or
clothing. In this particular illustration of key 4 there is depicted a
male's clothing including a jacket, shirt and tie of various colors. Thus,
as a theme key key no. 4 is associated with dressing and clothing and can
be utilized to refer to specific colors if desired. When actuated after
the medical key 29 the anatomy indicia of key no. 4 is utilized to
retrieve a sentence related to the breathing function associated with the
word "diaphragm".
Key no. 5 has the central symbol in the form of a curved arrow pointing in
a direction towards a terminal point and refers to the general theme of
"transport" or "travel." Thus, sentences would be recorded in the EPROM 14
related to trips, travel plans, visits and so forth and the actuation of
key no. 5 as a theme key would selectively retrieve one of the sentences
associated with travel depending which one of the other keys of the
keyboard was actuated following the double actuation of key no. 5. For
example, the double actuation of key no. 5 followed by the actuation of
the key no. 1 would refer to eating plans associated with travel such as
where one chooses to have dinner during their trip.
Key no. 6 has a central theme which deals with ablutions such as toileting,
bathing, and things associated therewith. However, when used as a
modifying key following the double actuation of another key which makes
that key a theme key, it may have different meanings. For example, when
key no. 6 is actuated following the double actuation of the electrical key
60, key no. 6 refers to water and could be used to retrieve a prerecorded
sentence such as "There is no water in the battery of my wheelchair". Also
under certain circumstances, key no. 6 including the central symbol of an
outdoor privy could refer to privacy.
Key no. 7 includes the central symbol E=MC.sup.2 and refers to the theme
philosophy or ideas. When key no. 7 is double actuated to designate it as
a theme key and is followed by the actuation of key no. 3 which
illustrates the fascade of a cathedral the prerecorded sentence which is
selectively retrieved from the memory of the EPROM 14 of FIG. 1 may be
related to the philosophy of religion. In combination with the food key
no. 1 it could announce a sentence such as "I am a vegetarian" expressing
a philosophy associated with eating.
Key no. 8 includes the central symbol which depicts a portion of a male
wearing a formal tuxedo. Accordingly the theme of key no. 8 is
formalities, departures, greetings and so forth. Used as a theme it may
selectively retrieve from memory prerecorded social statements such as
"Pleased to meet you.", "It is my pleasure.", etc. When key no. 8 is not
used as a theme but is used to modify or select specific sentences
associated with theme keys it formalizes the annunciations and is
therefore a key which connotes style or formality to a particular type of
sentence. If actuated with the medical theme key 29, key no. 8 refers to
the head portion of the anatomy.
Key no. 9 has the central symbol which in Chinese is the symbol for center
"JONG". This symbol refers to the self. Thus as a theme it may refer to
personal opinions and disclosures. In a subordinate sequence following the
double actuation of another theme key it makes the user the subject or
object of the sentence. When subordinated to the medical key 29 it refers
to the eye portion of the anatomy.
Key no. 10 includes the central symbol which is a likeness of Bertrand
Russell's profile This key is merely used as a logic key or modality key
to end a prior designated theme sequence For example, when key no. 10 is
struck once the next sentence which is generated will be from a different
theme. If it is struck twice it opens or clears the system for the
initiation of other themes.
Key no. 20 is also a logic or modality key and may be utilized to introduce
tag questions such as a question ending in "Didn't he?", "Aren't you?",
"Won't they?", etc. In certain sequences it may mean to join or connect,
as in the connection of a battery cable, etc.
Key no. 30 includes the central symbol of an ironically smiling sun and is
utilized to change any negative context sentence into a positive one as
described hereinbefore. Of course, key no. 30 may also be utilized to
retrieve a sentence having an association to the ovary, the letter "0" or
the numeral 30.
Key no. 50 is utilized as a special mode key. If this key is pushed twice
it instructs the system to switch from a synthetic speech mode to a normal
typewriter mode wherein each of the individual keys bearing the associated
letters or numerals may simply type out those individual letters or
symbols on paper as in a conventional typewriter. For example, a double
actuation of key 50 transforms the entire keyboard illustrated in FIG. 2
into a typewriter keyboard with no prearranged sentences.
The above examples for the uses of the keys of FIG. 2 are illustrative only
and it should be understood that many variations or modifications of the
above examples may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. It should be further understood that the
associations between the various keys and the polysemic symbols thereon
are more readily understood by an individual who has custom designed those
symbols for a keyboard intended only for his own personal use. In that
event this user would choose his own polysemic symbols and number of keys
which are related to objects in his own lifestyle which can be readily
understood and remembered. Therefore, when learning to use the synthetic
speech system of the present invention the degree of memorization of the
keyboard and the associated prerecorded sentences will be minimal to this
user.
The keyboard of FIG. 2 as stated hereinbefore is designed for use by an
individual with a relatively high level of intellectual achievement and
education. Accordingly, the polysemic symbols or real life objects and
expressions chosen are somewhat complex but because of their complexity
perhaps more generic than simpler symbols requiring no high level of
educational exposure. However, it is clearly desirable to be able to adapt
the present invention to users with a lower level of education by
utilizing more simplistic symbols. Such a keyboard is illustrated by the
group of keys depicted in FIG. 3. Key no. 1 in FIG. 3 has a central theme
of mathematics or numbers depicted by Pythagorean's theorem a.sup.2
+b.sup.2 =c.sup.2 As in the FIG. 2 keyboard each of these keys also
includes indicia associated with a portion of the human anatomy, a proper
name, a letter and a number. Key no. 2 in the keyboard of FIG. 3 is a
simple illustration of a bathtub and a shower associated therewith
connoting the central theme of water or bathing. Key no. 20 has a central
symbol of a chair or a throne which could be associated with a handicap's
wheelchair. Key no. 4 has a central symbol of a telephone which in a
simple translation can connote telephoning, calling, etc. Key no. 6
depicts a dog fetching an object and therefore can connote the theme of
putting, placing, etc.
Each of the keys in FIG. 3 contain both an icon and an alpha character
corresponding to the first letter of a word that describes the icon on
that key as follows:
______________________________________
LETTER WORD ICON
______________________________________
A Arithmetic A.sup.2 + B.sup.2 = C.sup.2
B Bath Bathtub
C Call Telephone
F Fetch Dog fetching Newspaper
T Throne Throne-like chair
______________________________________
Examples of operation of the keyboard of FIG. 3 are as follows: a double
actuation of key no. 20 with the central symbol of a chair followed by the
actuation of key no. 4 with the central symbol of a telephone may be
utilized to selectively retrieve a prerecorded sentence such as "Call
Potomac Valley Pharmacy about my wheelchair." The double actuation of key
no. 20 followed by the actuation key no. 4 can selectively retrieve the
sentence "Their number is in the phonebook" from the memory of the
computer. The double actuation of key no. 20 followed by the sequential
actuation of key 6, key 2, and key 60 can selectively retrieve the
prerecorded sentence "Put water in the battery" from the memory of the
computer. Again, the double actuation of the key 20 followed by the
actuation of key 2 alone can selectively retrieve the sentence "Please
clean my wheelchair."
Thus, it can be seen from the illustrative keyboards of FIGS. 2 and 3 that
the use of the central polysemic symbols enables the selective retrieval
of a wide variety of prerecorded sentences from a computer memory with a
minimal amount of memorization and number of key strokes on the part of
the user. Therefore, the keyboard's design in accordance with the concepts
of the present invention provide a c]ear advance in the art over
information retrieval systems which utilize keyboards with numbers,
letters or individual words thereon to retrieve words, letters or phonemes
stored in their individual form in a computer memory.
It can also be seen that the keyboard designs for use in the present
invention are for the most part multilingual and therefore can be utilized
as language translators.
FIG. 4 is the general flowchart of a program for implementing
classification and logic functions for information coming from the
keyboards of FIGS. 2 or 3 into the memory of the microprocessor 16. That
is, the flowchart of the program in FIG. 4 illustrates how the computer 16
classifies keys actuated twice at the beginning of a sequence as primary
message theme keys and all successively actuated keys as modifying keys.
It should be understood that the system and method described herein may be
modified as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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